Siekbina



L. WILLRODT STEERING ATTACHMENT FOR TRACTORS 18,212

Sept. 29, 1931.

Original Filed Aug. 23, 1929 3 shee-tssheet B9 ELM/1,04?

Gttorucg F.IL. WILLRODT P 1- s'raname ATTACHMENT FOR TRAGTORS 18,212

Original Filed Aug. .23. 1929 sheets shut 2 1 0 O Hu I M d Snuentor IZL'.VVillrodf attorney Reissued Sept. 29, 1931 I I 7 R3.

FRED L. wnhnon r, a om- A "rfo rnn'wrinnm mcwon GUIDE commmy; F ommninnmmsxn, A conronnmrou onnnaansxn sm'mmueeur'rnonnmm nonggnnc ronsh 3,1,1; Original. No. 1,77 ,940,. dap'ei ig entenh egriaf no. s87,$,,-g1eg1,, 3:23,; A n nm n for; reissue filed July, 6,1931 Serial 89. 548,395, 9

This invention relates tozsteering q't tagliend1 af rf'z iii gglilh f p'sirtsT aSfflBSCifiBdhEie: ments for tractors andhas reference to that in anIiI'lustfratel n the accompanying draw-o class of attachments used for. guidingjthe ings, it being understoogl thgt tractor during theoperation',.of-plowin ",SO beemadeinsforml .eizehpr B9? l n fiil 5 that the plow, .clrawnby'tlie. tractor, willJOejv and minor detgils sniglg chging hill god? 55 correctly positioned. in theland .tor'turningf termineiby rthe sqpp g ike-511 816?) filS the furrow. p v cljaimfit, 11.; Q}; i 1a.,

One of, the objects of the-invention: isfco. ,lnh heidrw ngs, ,Eigpr ,lfiea ph." ifew improve the construction shown and den hmving thefltt fihmfillfiiwppli dwipe f 10 scribed in LettefsvPatefltbfthe United States, he iiflGtQI- L in; wt 7.1 No. 1,639,246, datedAugustlfi, 192T, and. -Eig31ne2 is esigle yiemqfi-the l,-

issuecl tothis. applicant and which, iorhop- Eigulfefidsn front viewfofthetrectonand; eration, clependsuponlthe useofeipainbf he fi l-ing attachments, x

guide-discs arranged to travel in. the heel, of "'Eigum at, flew, showing 1; the furrow for causing. the .tmetorvtoimovei Ofthe s'teen ngnnnwiththefstee ng 65 in a line parallel with said filrrow ancerrier- F gure; 5 ,i s a sectionnl detejl the beam in all instances being \used-whiehex; braee' ba r;

tends forwardly for supportingthemtransbiifl fi'sbflls verse shaft upon whichh the guidediscsere', ,Figurefinseplanyieygio A .20 mounted; nnli rt gach'a n.

' One of the obj ectsof the pre fiten wnr -l n ly e it f tent-inlet??? "Referring now to, $11 1 9513? th is to provide such a mounting for the can; partienler des g giption, h tnventronisshown rier-benm that the parts monntedthemonwill ifllcledTeSQ iit bfidn nfl .ttee vwi h the.

not become injured while .encountering, ,0bfilhQ kmttreeknheelefl structions-on While crossing litches. AIL, Verticatsteeririg post of the tgepteghelngme 765} other object is toprovide-a.resilienttllpporfi. heated 31 1 5 1A1$Q lZhQilkYQQtiQQis for the transverse shaft. which. carries;the, inQQDIKQtiQI! Withthe in guide-discs so that it maybe readily. swung; theg'round attliesidfi i hfizl' lit ltgg hemndf-f upwardly Whenever .rfequnred. and yieldm Whe l, 011 .steeringthetrnctor ingly resist downward swinginglmoyemen s ilin ofthe transverse shaftoc'easionedby yibrae [Since tion or when the disesenter depressions t0? a ta hments WK. 1 tend, 9 an tie A further ohjectfis to pnov1de.,.a,s1ip;prt maintain the ,tmvehqfjgth Egg- 5 ing beipivoted at its upperendon the tlflcv withthe ,iurrow e description pa, Slim;-

torandextendingforwardly dQwn-WardtQ lfi lgih hl $fi 1y ond normally disposed inla vertical plane, isnotconsideredmeeessary Howie; with the transxgersely arrengeddisegearrying, belsteted that th' clriyer nses the}; shaftsupporteclthereby. Q WheIijf-Ftnlining ahf flint Still another obj ect istoprov'dea.v-shapect onwhendriving upon ahighwny i L holder for-'a-chainwhich supports a swing-H ,jIn-oxderthntlthe objects niaymentt no, ingsupportingshfitior a; tractorv guiding fiK'StimQiltlQ Qd agigflgeerri -he 14 m x 1 ieemployedfl beemiex qidmglfiq wrd x,

It. is an ohjectroithe invention touprodnce. rom the, 811 fihflnd hevinm'monntihg it's attachments for attractor which will consist, rean ml topernntit tohgyes inging 'mknze1 of few and simple parts,.wiillibe conuenient; lnentsl'upwercllyend, gs 9;

in use, and may be manufactured atayeryi lateral swinging movements to cous g mve; limited. expense. me-ntpi other pests of With the foregoingiohj eetsiini denied theitlr ctor, the no tend r mani't in others to be mentioned the invention presents provided jvith ,a shoe 1Q ,flutgegal lfi. ljldi-I a new and useful eonsti'uction, combinat on; catesa support-ingfibait Whiglgt Q cnred atits outer endito the sleeve 20 which-re ceives tbeashaft 1, the oppos t end of the 10 chain being secured to 7 operating to resist str dlSCS'WhlCh are pressed rearwardly durln a hook 21, said chain opratioii while engaging the I may be adjusted on the shaft' The sleeve 15 so that the discs may be disposedat selectedd istagnces fromfthe beam 14, the chain also being adjustedi'to corr' justment of the sleeve. l p a 'Nur'neral 22 indicates asupporting orbracebar preferably constructed of channel'iironj and having an extension 23' slidin-gly ,t ed therein, said brace-bar and its exten'sion bfi'in disposed" inclinedly, flipper end of t e 5 Epst 11, and the lower end of the extension ing se c u red to'the carrier-beam 1 4, and durmg' the forward 'move nen't of the tractor when the shoe 1 5 strikes anobstru'ction and causesthe'beain 14 to'swing' upwardly the ex- '0" tension will 'sli dein' the birace-ba1'22;

H Numeral; 24s indicates' a chain which is secured at one of its ends to the sleeve20, its.

p s t nd ei g se red t a p ing Since the T is disposed at the near iajjpl e b sid blyi side a: thejtractor in bove t e y 2 f ti pe atese y y elevating the discs from' depressionsinlthe' 4s= s 9m A1 9 xa s a a f f ing'the fdiscs upwardly as isoft'en N required.

t'iqn fit d fta ao fii ii H 4 ewa d y he d s s f Chain ei ssecu bracket r ffw a tral yfa i;

thiscoinbinedchainfandistrahdfb iiigff rthe i 55s m ri operation;

en ageqa paneysa which'xis mountedf on a bracket 33,said bracket being mounted o'n'the' inclined brace-bar 22, for'the control of dii'ec essesdirected to the 1 f'on ma :be permitted toswing sa'id downward 'swln c-lng movement being espbnd with the ad; i. si ts 'es ea. a id m y use y Swtable ar' 22 being disposed bathe? top of thev the near side of the tractor,fa 'bracket 2e xtendin am et et i s q' i deii p is 1 ga; track-teatime; e l ted 0n heibm -ba 2 t je m i as will be seen, this spring'op in the manual work of swing- ;a 29'indicate third chainavhichi inounted' 'on"the"eiigl oi the shaft 16 pp site nd r'for causing an upaha-m 1 9 and discsf'17, the shaft 16f f about'hinge ,1 8i "i'Thi s -upwa rdf insifisjinb' ntj i ently" qu re-d1 duriil operation, and it .will 'e' lapfpreciatedf 'fl 't i p k I V V of the furrow. Also the action of the spring LThe'sitra'nd 3I"andchain '29, in 'sngccessiomi tion of said chain and t-ion, the strand is the discs have been the chain 29 maybe disposed with one of its links 'c'aihght between the pair of teeth 34, said teeth being arranged as a V-shaped member and disposed rearwardly of and'adjacent to the; pulley 32-; operation, to, detach the strand. In this operadrawn rearwardly until .ehain. f em;the;;t e l the p a r: by the use of the strand 31, may pull the chain so that/its link willbedisengaged from the teeth, and the shaft 16 together with the parts thereagainst the force 01:: this spring 25.

While I'have shown and described a chain 19'it obviousthat a bar or rod would rcment for thispurpose, but prefer a chain, sopth at the adjustments mentionedmay be conveniently made. Also it is obvious that a flexible strand could be substituted for the chain 24am I do'n'ot'wish to be understoodv as'limiting myself to the use of the chain 24. Alsoa'cable, ropeor other flexible member couldbe substituted for the chain 29, but I prefer the use'of thisfch'ain since a link may be caught between the teeth 34 for supporting the shaft 16 and parts thereon when said'sliaft has been swung upwardly.

Numeral 35 indicates a steeri11g arm which may be rigidly secured at its rear end to the st'eering postill', the means for securing it to said'post being a screw-bolt or key 36, and the swinging movements of saidarm 35 are de- Iifidedgupon forthe-steering, automatically,

of the tractor-so that its line of travel will beparallel with'the furrow 12. f Number37 indicates a toothed rack-bar or control bar which is pivotally'imounted at its inner end a sindic'ated at 38 upon'the bracebar2 2f Thesteering-arm at its outer end is providedivith a bolt. 39, andat 40 is indicated a'spring which is 'sec ured'at its respective once was. bar 22 and' ra ckebar'37, the operation ofthis' springtending'tocause the rack-bar to swing'for'wardly for-maintaining one of its notches 'in"engagement withthe bolt or pin 39 of the steering arm.

Sincefthe' supporting-beam 14 is mounted to'permit lateral swinging movements on the a'iile 8 itisobviou's that suchfmoveme'nt will cause a part rotation of the steering-post and a correspondingswinging movement, hori- 'zon ta llf y, oftli'e -axle 8 for steering the tractor.':

- The normal position of the discs '17 is shown in Figurel of the drawings. The outer disc i's'disp'osed inangular relation to the inner disciof said pair, and the inner disc therefore elevated and at that time I downwardly led ali'ne parallel with the'furrow the steeringarm wouldhave limited swinging movement, andthesupporting-beam would have a corresponding swinging movement, the result being that the discs would be moved to an abnormal poslt-ion. .However, the discs, on

account of the construction as described very soon assume a normal position, for maintaining-the travel of the tractor in a line parallel withthe furrow.

pNumeralytl. indicates a pull-rope for use oflnthe driver of the tractor, the front end .ofthe rope being secured to the end of the rack-bar .37. By use of the rope or strand 41 the rack-bar-may be swung rearwardly so that-git will-nothe engaged by thepin 39, and this maybe done whenever the operator wishes touse .the hand-wheel 13 when the attachment is not in use. a

. It is obvious that an ordinary link or lever could be substituted-for the rack-bar 37 and operation would be-the same in all respects except that certain adjustmentscould not be made, and thereforeI do not wish to limit myself to the use of a rack-bar.

Also while two discs 17 have been shown and described which travel in the bedof the furrow it is obvious that the outer, angularly' disposeddisc could be dispensed with since the action of the spring 25 will'cause said innerdisc to engage the land side wall of the furrow 12. Since the ,carrienbeam Ll andt'he brace-bar 22 are pivotally mounted on the tractor the spring 25 operates to urge them towardthe near? side of the tractor, said inner. disc operating as a detent and, by this resilient action being pressed against thefland side wall of the furrow.

During the operation of plowing, the chain 29 and its'strand 31 are not held in taut condition, and therefore. the discs may enter the ground in the bed of the furrow, the weight of the shaft 16, its sleeve and adjusting chain 19 aiding in a suitable engagement of thediscs inthe ground, this downward pressure occasioned by the weight of said parts being-under control ofthe spring as above ex lained.

ince the extension 23 is slidingly mount edin the brace-bar 22 its lower end is secured to the carrier-beam 14 by means of a spring The object in view in providing the rackb ar37 is to provide a detachable mountingfor thesteering-arm' so thatthe pivot-pin 39 may'lengage in any selected notch of said rack-bar: I i-some instances it may be desired? to cause the tractor totravel with its not be changed but the tractor will travel further toward the off side-than before, and the adjustments mentioned are often required in the operation of plowing hillsides and in valleys; '7 a The beam 14;, bar 22 and its extension 23 together constitute a rock bar or supportingbarwhich is normally disposedin a verticalplane at the medial line and mounted to permitswinging movement of its loweror for ward end transversely of the tractor, thereby providing a support for the swinging guide engaging in a furrow. The parts 22 and 28 are inclined downwardly and forwardly and the part 22 receives the connec-, tion of the control bar 37. The projecting part ofthe beam 14 furnishes ahorizontal part at the lower end of the rock bar or supporting-bar, and to this horizontal part the swing arm or supporting shaft 16 for the guideis'pivotally connected. The guide and guide-bar move the rock bar and-through it the rack-bar or supporting-bar orv controlbar 87- and the steering-arm for steering the tractor. 1

I claim as my invention? 1. In attachments formaintaining the travel of a tractor parallel with a ground furrow, said tractor being provided withsteering devices, a carrier-beam mounted on the tractor to permit swinging movements there-' of, a brace-bar mounted on the tractor and disposed above thecarrier-beam, anextension member slidingly connected with the brace-bar andmounted on the carrier-beam, a supporting-shaft hinged to said beam and having adi'scforengaging in said furrow, a

spring connected with the tractor and attached to the supporting-shaft for pressing the disc toward the land-side of the furrow, and mechanism on the brace-bar and en gaging said steering devices for moving the steering-devices of the tractor by a movement of said carrier-beam. v

2. In attachments for maintaining the line of travel of a tractor parallel with a groundfurrow, said tractor having a steering-post, a carrier-beam movably connected with and eX- tending forwardly from the tractor, a braceba'r mounted on the tractor and disposed above the carrier-beam, an extension-member mountedon thecarrier-beam and having a part slidingly engaging. said brace-bar, a steering-arm mounted on the steering post, a link m'ounted to permit swinging'movemcnts on the brace bar and pivotally connected with the steering-arm, a supporting-shaft mounted on the carrier-beam to permit swinging move- J ments therefrom and having a disc for engaging in said furrow, and a'resilient element connected with the tractor and the supporting-shaft for pressing said disc against a wall of said furrow. 1 V

3. In attachments for maintainingthe travel of a tractorparallel with a ground furrow, said tractor having a steering-post, a, carrier-beam mounted on the tractor'to permit swinging movements therefrom, a bracebar mounted on the tractor and having a part connected with the carrier-beam, a bracket mounted on the brace-beam provided with a V-shaped holder, a pulley mounted on said bracket, asteering-arm mounted on the steering-post,a link mounted to permit swinging said furrow, a spring connected with the tractor and connected with the supportlngv "movements on the brace-bar and pivotally connected with the steering-arm, a'supporting-shaft hingeablymounted on the carrierbeam and having a disc normally engaging in shaft for urging said disc toward the land'- side of said furrow, a chain mounted on the supporting-shaft and having a part engaging saidpulley, said chain being adapted to be moved for causing the supporting-shaft and disc to swing upwardly from said furrow, one of'thelinks of said chain moving.

into locked relation with said V-shaped holder, said chain being movable for'releasing its link from said V-shaped holder to permit the supporting-shaft and said disc to swing downwardly against the force of said spring. 4. In attachments for ,maintaining the travel of a tractor parallel with a ground furvices mounted on the brace-barand steeringrow, said tractorhaving a steering-post rigid with its axle, a carrier-beam mounted on said axle to permit swingmg movements therefrom, a brace-bar connected with the' steeringpost, an extension-bar resiliently mounted on the carrier-beam and slidingly connected with saidbrace-bar, detachably connected depost for causing a movement of the steeringpost by a movement of the carrier-beam, and a supporting-shaft hingeably mounted on the carrier-beam and having discs adapted to engage in said furrow.

5. In attachments for maintaining the travel of a tractorparalle'l with a ground furrow, said tractor being provided with a steering-post, a carrier-beam extendingforwardly'from and mounted on the tractor to permit lateral swinging movements thereof, a

supporting-shaft hinged to the carrier-beam and having a guide normally engaging in said furrow, a brace-bar mounted loosely on the steering-post and having a part provided with a channel, an extension-bar resiliently mounted on the carrier and slidingly mounted in said channel, a steering-arm mounted on the having aguide normally disposed in said.

furrow, a brace-bar connected with the tractor and movable with the carrier-beam, an

extension-bar having a part slidingly engaging the carrier-beam, abolt traversing the extension-bar andsaid beam, a spring on said bolt, a steering-arm rigid with the steeringpost, and a link connected at its respective ends with the brace-barand steering-arm to cause movements of the steering post by the movements of the carrier-beam. v

7. In attachments for maintaining the travel of a tractor parallel with a ground furrow, said tractor being provided with a steering-post, a carrier-beam pivotally con nected with the tractor, a brace-bar connected with the tractor and carrier-beam and movable with said beam, a bracketsecured to the brace-bar and provided with a V-shaped holder, a supporting-shaft mounted'on said" beam to permit swinging movements thereof in a circles arc therefrom, discs mounted onsaid shaft for engaging in said furrow, a

flexible member connected with the supporting-shaft and adapted to be moved in said V-' shaped holder, a steering-arm rigidly mounted on the steering-post and provided with a detent pin, and a spring controlled rack-bar normally engaging the detent-pin of the steering-arm and pivotally mounted on said brace-bar. g

8. In a steering attachment for tractors, a steering arm operatively connected with a steering wheel of the tractor to impart steering movement thereto, a rock bar having a rigid inclined part normally disposed in a' vertical plane and mounted ,on' the tractor to permit swinging movements of the lower 1 forward end thereof transversely of said, tractor, a control bar operatively connected with said rock bar and with said steering arm; and a guide for engaging in a furrow and adapted to thereby'be moved for moving said, rock bar, said control bar and said steering arm. I 9. In a steering attachment fortractors, a steering arm operatively connected with a steering wheel of the tractor toimpart steering movement thereto,- a rock bar mounted on the tractor to permit swinging movements. of one end thereof, said rock-bar having a downwardly and forwardly inclined part normally disposed in a vertical plane, a

guide for engaging in a furrow and adapted to thereby be moved for moving said rock bar, and an operative, disengageable connection between the inclined part of said rock bar and said steering arm, the parts of said rock bar being rigidly connected against relative lateral movement, whereby movement of said guide is communicated therethrough for moving the steering arm.

10. In a steering attachment for tractors, a steering arm operatively connected with a steering wheel of the tractor to impart steering movement thereto, a rock bar mounted on the tractor to permit swinging movements of one end thereof, said rock bar having a downwardly and forwardly inclined part normally disposed in a vertical plane, a guide for engaging in a furrow and adapted to thereby be moved for moving said rock bar, and an operative, spring controlled, dis engageable connection between the inclined part of said rock bar and said steering arm, the parts of said rock bar being rigidly connected against relative lateral movement,

whereby movement of said guide is communicated therethrough for moving the steering arm.

11. A steering attachment for tractors, a steering-arm connect-ed with the steering mechanism ofthe tractor, a rock-bar having a rigid inclined part normally disposed in a vertical plane at the medial line and mounted on the tractor to permit swinging movements of its lower end transversely of said tractor,

- a control-bar mounted on the rock-bar and connected with the steering-arm, a swing-bar mounted on the lower end of the rock-bar and having a guide for engaging in a furrow and adapted to be moved for moving the rock-bar, said control-bar and said steeringarm.

12. In a tractor guide for a tractor having front steering wheels and a steering mechanism for steering the tractor, a supporting bar having a rigid inclined part mounted at its upper end on the tractor to permit swinging movements thereof transversely of the line oftravel of said tractor, a steering-arm mounted on the steering mechanism of the tractor, a control-bar connected with the steering-arm and with said supporting bar, and a guide bar pivotally connected with the lower end of the supporting bar and having a guide adapted to travel in a furrow for moving the guide bar, said supporting bar and the steering mechanism of the tractor.

13. In a tractor guide for a tractor having front steering wheels and provided with steering mechanism for steering the tractor, a supporting bar having a rigid inclined part pivotally mounted at its upper end on the tractor and having a horizontal part at its lower end, a forwardly projecting steeringarm mounted on the steering mechanism of the tractor, a control bar connected with the bar and the steering steering armi and with the supportingv bar, a

inclined part having its upper end pivotally connected with the tractor, a steering-arm mounted on the steering mechanism and projecting forwardly of the tractor, a control bar pivotally connected at one end with the supporting bar and having a pivotal connection with said steering arm, a guide-bar having a pivotal connection withthe lower end of the supporting bar and having'a guide adapted totravel in a furrow for moving the guide her, said supporting bar, said control-bar and the steering mechanism-of the tractor.

15. In atractor guide, a steering arm rigidly secured to the steering mechanism of the tractor, a supporting-barmounted on the tractor to permit swinging movements transversely of the line of travel,- sa-id bar being formed with :a rigid inclined-part normally disposed inthe vertical plane of a portion of eclwitla :sazid arm, a guide bar mounted on the support-ingbar and havin-ga guide adaptfiedto' engage in afurrowfor' actuatingthe guide-bar, thesupporting-xbar and said steering-arm.

16. Ina-tractor guide, a steering-arm projectingiforwardly' fromland rigidly connected with the steering mechanism of the tractor, a supporting bar having a rigid inclined thesteeringarm and .being'movably connect- 0,5

part pivotally mounted at its upper end on .105

the tractor and connected between itsends with the steering-arm, a guide-bar pivotally mounted on the lower end of the supporting bar, and a guide mounted on the guide-bar to travel in a furrow for moving the guide- 110 bar, said supporting bar and the steering.

arm. c

17. In a tractor guide, a rigid supporting bar inclined-forwardly and downwardly at the front of the tractor and having an zip-I15 proximately horizontal lower end portion, means on the tractor providing a pivotal mounting for the upper end portion of the supporting bar, a steering-arm rigidly connected with the steering mechanism of the E12 tractor and movably connected with the supporting bar, and a guide-bar mounted on the lower approximately horizontal end portion of the supporting bar and having a guide adapted to travel in a furrow for movingek the guide-bar, the supporting bar and said steering arm.

18. In attachments for maintaining the travel of a tractor parallel with a ground furrow, said tractor being provided Withggl steering mechanism, a rock bar pivotally cone nected with'the tractor,a bracket secured to; the rock bar and provided with a V-shaped holder, a guide-bar mounted on said rock' 1 5 bar to permit swinging movement thereof in "anarc, guides on said guide bar for engaging in a furrow, a flexible member connected with the guide-bar and adapted to be moved 'in' said V-shaped holder, a steering arm: con

. nected rigidly with the steeringmechanism, and operative connections between said rock bar and said steering-arm. V

19. In attachments for maintaining the travel of a tractor parallel with a ground 'furrow, said tractor havin asteering mechanism, a rock bar mounte on the tractor to 'ermit swinging movements therefrom, a

racket mounted on the rock bar'- provided with a V-shaped holder, a pulley mountedon said bracket, a steering-arm rigidlyconnected with the steering mechanism, a-support-- ing shaft hingeably mounted on the rock bar and having a disc normally'enga'ging' in said furrow, a chain connected with the supporting shaft and having apart enga 'ng said pulley, said chain being adapted to e moved for causing the supporting shaft and disc to swing upwardly from the furrow, one of 1 the links of said chain being adapted to move into locked relation with said V-shaped holder for holding the supporting shaft and disc- -in elevated position, said chain being'movable for releasing its link from said holder r J" to permit the supporting shaft and disc to h swing downwardly.

'Des Moines, Iowa June 27,1931. 7

s FRED L. WILLRODT. 

